Book Drives in Action

Mikaila McNeill's South African Library Project

02/19/2015 onward02/19/2015 to 04/15/2015

Morrison CO

We are working with the African Library Project to provide books to eager readers in Africa who have very few books. Please help us by collecting and delivering gently used books or by raising money to help pay for shipping to Africa. It takes only 1000 books and $500 (plus a little elbow grease!) to start a single library and make a huge difference in children’s lives.

This book drive is organized by ...

My name is Paulette McNeill. I teach at Conifer High School in Conifer, Colorado. My daughter, Mikaila, is a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa. We are working together to supply the library at her school with more books and materials in order to help her students learn English.

Our website link:

We want to start a library in Africa because...

When Mikaila arrived at her school in South Africa, they asked her to organize a library. Sadly, there are very few books and most of them are old. Schools throughout South Africa teach in English including all universities however, very few primary schools have access to many books in English. Mikaila and I are both very passionate about books and reading. We want to share this passion with her students in Ingwavuma and help to increase literacy in South Africa.

About our African Partners...

My daughter, Mikaila McNeill, is a Peace Corps Volunteer in South Africa. She graduated from Conifer High School in 2008 and earned a BA from The University of Oregon in 2013. She left for South Africa in July of 2014 and she will be there for 27 months. Mikaila earned her degree in International Studies and French. She is teaching at the Magugu Primary School in Ingwavuma, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

Ingwavuma is a village full of wonderful and kind people who are eager to learn, especially all the learners at Magugu Primary who are desperate to read! Students range from 5 years old to 17 years old of all different skill levels. Students begin learning English as a second language in Grade 4 and they need books to help promote literacy and knowledge. Teachers have few resources and find great value in the few books that they do have. The community is impoverished and finding joy in books and learning is one way that these young learners may be able to change their circumstances.

Please contribute these kinds of books...

Magugu Primary School is in need of 1,000 gently used books:

Preferably 2/3 of the 1,000 total books need to be preschool-4th grade books and the other 1/3 need to be 4th through 8th grade.

If possible, please include teacher resource materials such as math and reading games, guides on how to teach types of math, science experiments done with simple materials, lesson plans, informational posters for the classroom or library walls, worksheets, etc. for this school.

Here's how you can contribute your books...

Books can be dropped off at Conifer High School Public Library and Mountain Books in Aspen Park, Colorado. You can also send books to Paulette McNeill 9731 Hilldale Dr., Morrison, CO 80465.

We need to raise funds for shipping the books...

We also need to raise $500 for shipping. Please send donations to Paulette McNeill, 9731 Hilldale Dr., Morrison, CO 80465. You can also go directly to the ALP site and donate. Be sure to include the code SA2-09 when you donate.

Here are some ways that you can help...

The quickest and easiest way is to contribute new or gently used books or cash. The next way is to spread the word. Please contact me if you would like to help in any way!